Toy motion-picture projector



w. BouMA `TOY MOTION-PICTURE PROJECTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 24,1946 Mlrh'f'BWM/Q INVENToR. 915%@ @25 Aug. 5, 1952 W. BOUMA TOYMOTION-PICTURE PROJECTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 24, 1946 Mirar-EMMA INVENTOIL TToP/yf'x Aug. 5, 1952 Filed Sept. 2,4, 1946 W. BOUMA TOYMOTION-PICTURE PROJECTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ,Q7-ramt! Patented Aug. 5,1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TGY MOTION-PICTURE PROJECTOR WikkeBouma, Glendale, Calif. Application September 24, 1946, Serial No.698,962

(Cl. 85E-18.7)

4 Claims.

This invention has to do with improvements ln motion picture nlmprojectors or viewers of a type and size adaptable for low costmanufacture and sale as miniature or toy nlm projecting devices.Particularly the invention is concerned with this type of projectorcontaining the nlm in endless and therefore continuously displayableform, and by which the projected or direct nlm image is illuminated.

My general object is to provide for the incorporation in a practical andsimplined assembly, of an endless nlm roll, light source forilluminating a portion of the nlm being taken from and returned to theroll, and a nlm advancing mechanism characterized by its simplepracticability for use in a low cost device, and capacity for impartingpositive and intermittently arcuate movement to the nlm.

The invention further contemplates the provision in a unitary housing orcase containing the stated assembly, of one or more batteries forsupplying current to a nlm illuminating lamp, and a switch control,which may be adapted as hereinafter described, to assure againstinadvertent consumption of the battery energy.

Additional objects have to do with features such as an improved nlmmovement capable of actuation to the same effect on the nlm, by rotationof an operating handle in reverse directions; improved nlm guide andoperation plate arrangements; and the manner oi accommodating the entireassembly in a housing, the interior of which and all cont ined parts aredirectly accessible by removal `cfa cover section of the housing.

All the above mentioned and additional features and objects of theinvention will be explained and understood to better advantage from thefollowing detailed description .of typical and` illustrative embodimentsshown ,by the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the projector;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-section on line ,4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged inside view of the Vnlm drive and shuttermechanism;

6r is an elevational View r'showing the nlm reel and keeper removed fromthe housing;

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a variational embodiment ofthe invention;

Fig. .8 is a fragmentary cross-section on line Fig. 9 is a cross-sectionon line 9--9 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. l0 is a cross-section on line IIJ-I I] of Fig. 9.

The projector comprises a case or housing I0 conveniently shaped toaccommodate the endless nlm, the nlm holding mechanism, light source andcurrent supply, and preferably is made to include body and coversections II and I2 of circularly curved shape above an extended base I3,as shown in Fig. l. The housing sections II and l2 are frictionallyinterengaged, as by the reception of the continuous cover flange I4 insnug engagement within the body section. It may be mentioned that thehousing and its hereinafter described integral parts, may beconveniently cast using any of the appropriate organic plastics.

The peripheral wall of the body section II is formed to contain a lightpassing tube I4I within which is placed a plastic or other lens I5, thetube being in axial alinement with the later described light source andopening I6 in the aperture plate Il projecting inwardly from the natside wall Ila of the body. Angular supports IB and i3, also integralwith and projecting from the housing Wall Ila, are positioned at theimmedlate inside or" the aperture plate I1 to guide the nlm 2i), thelatter passing about the rounded edges of the guides. and across and inflat surface engagement with the aperture plate. As illustrated, theguides and aperture plate are in such proximity as to frictionallyrestrain the nlm between its intermittent advancements. Posts I8 and I9also serve as supports for the incandescent lamp holder generallyindicated at 2 I, the latter comprising a U-shaped removable unit. thearms 22 of which are recessed at 23 to nt and be received between thecurved inner edges of the supporting posts. The carrier 2l has athreaded opening 24 into which is screwed the small lamp 25 of the typehaving a condensing lens 26 through which the projected light isconcentrated on the aperture I6. As will be understood, the carrier 2|may be removed from between the posts I8 and I9 for replacement ofburned-out lamps.

The nlm 20 is wound in an endless convolute roll 26 carried on a reel 21received within the recessed portion of the cover section in onsetrelation to the line of light projection from the lamp through the nlmaperture. The reel 2 may be formed as a single piece shaped to have thedual functions of a carrier for the convolute nlm roll 26, and a guidefor the portion of the nlm leaving the roll. Accordingly, the reel hasan outer annular nange portion 28, and a central portion 29 offsetinwardly within the film roll, to present a surface 38 about which thefilm is wound, and an angular or curved surface 3| which engages andsmoothly guides the film as it is taken from the roll. As illustrated inFigs. 1 and 4, the film passes upwardly from the inside of the filmroll, thence downwardly between aperture plate l1, and guides I8 and I9,to be returned to and rewound about the outside of the roll. Thus as thelm is advanced by the later described drive, it becomes self-winding andreleasing with relation to the film roll. The reel 21 is suitablymounted for rotation within the case, as by reception of its shaft 33within a tubular bearing 34 cast integrally with the housing section lla. As best illustrated in Fig. 6, the shaft 33 is slotted to receive afilm keeper 35 which diametrically overlies the roll 28 and has its ends85 received within openings in the reel flange 28.

The film drive is operated by an outside crank handle 31 having a squarecross-section spindle 38 received within a correspondingly shapedopening in a cam wheel 39, the hub 48 of which may be journaled withinopening 4| in the wall of the housing. The spindle thus rotates the camwheel, while having capacity for relative axial movement which,inwardly, is resisted by coil spring 42 confined between the cam wheeland the handle flange 43. Referring to Fig. 5, wheel 39 carries asuitable number of equally spaced cams 44, preferably formed asperipheral teeth, the side surfaces 44a of which extend symmetricallywith relation to the wheel radii at substantially the angularity shown.

The film drive, generally indicated at 45, comprises an arm 46 having apivotal support 41 on the housing wall, the arm carrying an intermediateprojection 48 corresponding in angularity to the tooth-shaped cams 44,engageable by the latter upon rotation of the wheel 39 to intermittentlyand reciprocally deflect the arm. n this connection it is to be observedthat the arm is given the same nlm advancing deeetion regardless of thedirection of rotation of the cam wheel 89. A pawl 49 pivoted at 58 onthe free end of arm 46, has a pointed end I engageable within the nlmperforations, the pawl being thrust against the film by spring 52bearing against the pawl carried projection 53 so that the tendency ofthe spring is both to urge the pawl against the lm and resist downwarddisplacement of the pawl and arm assembly. Upon rotation of the wheel38, the interengagement of the cams 44 and 48 displaces the pawl toadvance the film a distance corresponding to the dimensions cfsuccessive frames.

Optionally the film movement may have an associated shutter device,typically in the form of an arm 55 pivotally carried on pin 41 andhaving a terminal shutter flange 56 adapted to be swung into and out ofoverlying relation to the aperture l5. Downward displacement of theshutter arm is resisted by spring 51. Arm 55 carries a cam projection 58in such staggered or oliset relation to the cam 48 on the pawl arm 48,that the shutter flange 58 will be swung into the light path throughaperture I6, Abefore the pawl 49 carried by arm 46 starts itsintermittent advancements of the film.

Current is supplied to the lamp from batteries 60 contained in the basecompartment I3 of the housing. One of the battery terminal conductors 6Iis attached to a flexible lterminal 62 secured at 63 to the inside ofthe housing and en- 4 gaged by the contact end or" the lamp in therelations shown in Figs. l and A second conductor 64 leads from thebattery case to a fiexible switch element G5 attached at 68 to thehousing and having an angular end portion 65a positioned for engagementby the end of the shaft spindle 38, see Fig. 4, to thrust the elementagainst the metallic lamp threads 6l.

Considering the operation of the mechanism as a projector, the lm 28first is threaded between the aperture plate and guide posts asillustrated, and the cover section I2 receiving the reel and endlessfilm roll, is applied to the body portion of the housing. Beingdependent for illumination upon closing deflection of the switch element85 against its threads 61, the lamp 25 is energized only by or duringoperation of the handle 31. Thus, simultaneously with its rotation, thehandle is thrust inwardly to deflect the switch element against, andtherefore illuminate the lamp. Then upon rotation of the handle and camwheel 39 in either direction, pawl 49 is actuated to intermittentlyadvance the nlm, drawing it from the inside of the roll 25 and returningthe iilin for rewinding on the outside of the roll. Thus the film may begiven continuous and indefinite showing, with assured proper advancementof the lm in whichever direction the handie may be rotated.

Relative to the described light switch, it is considered advantageous tocontrol the switch, as by the nlm drive handle and in the mannerexplained, to prevent inadvertent burning of the lamp and consumption ofbattery current when the device is not in operation. It is to beunderstood, however, that such other appropriate or independent switchcontrol for the battery circuit may be used as desired.

The variational form of the invention shown in Fig. 7 is generallysimilar in its construction and mode of operation to the describedembodiment, but differs with respect to various details and the moredistended form of the case or housing, and the spaced arrangement of itscontained mechanisms. Here the housing 10 is shown to have uniformthickness and to include the body section 'Il and its cover 12, the topportion 10a of the housing being extended beyond the circular form ofFig. 1 to accommodate the illustrated arrangement and spaced relation ofthe nlm reel, nlm movement, light source and projection lens.

The convolute film roll 13 is carried about a reel or wheel 14 rotatableabout shaft 15 integral with disc 16 exteriorly confining the nlm andits reel. The shaft 15 has a non-circular end projection 11 receivedwithin opening 18 in the housing boss 19, projection 11 and the shaft 15being longitudinally slotted at 89, see Fig. 10, to receive the U-shapedfilm and reel keeper 8l. Reception of the keeper within slot expands theprojection 11 into tight or snug engagement within the opening 18. Thedisc 16 is slotted at 82 to receive and frictionally engage the keeper8|.

The film loop 83 is payed out at 84 from the center of the roll 13, thefilm being accommodated within guide-notch 85 in the keeper. At itsinside the film roll is confined on its reel 14 by engagement with aguide 86 projecting inwardly from the wall of the housing to engage theedge of the roll. Leaving the roll, the film passes about the guide post81, against and across the aperture plate 88, and about the curved guideend 89 of the stationary housing projection 90, the film thence beingreturned to S the outside of the roll 13. Asbefore, the projection lenstube 9| is contained within the wall of the housing in axial alignmentwith the vlightpassingk aperture 92.

The light source consists of a condensing type lamp 93, for example a2.4 volt lamp supported in axial aligment with the aperture 92 byreception of the bulb end of the lamp within an opening in a resilientmetallic conductor 94 carried within a slot in the projection 90. Aswill be understood, the support 94 engages the metallic jacket 96 of thelamp. The inner contact end of the lamp is engaged and supported by asecond resilient conductor 91 carried by projection 90 secured by clamp95 to conductor 94 so that the lamp is connned between the conductorsand maintained in a position of stationary alignment with the lightaperture axis.

Element 94 is connected by conductor 98 with a leaf spring type terminal99 engaging one of the flashlight type batteries and |0| containedwithin the base compartment |02 of the housing. Element 91 has anextended portion 91a serving as a switch for engagement with theterminal of battery |0|. Portion 91a normally is disengaged by pullingits bent terminal |02 outwardly through the case opening |03. Whencontact is to be made between portion 91a and the battery terminal, thebend |04 is thrust downwardly into the notch |05.

The nlm movement, similar to the nrst described form, comprises wheel|05 having the equally spaced and symmetrical cam projections |06, thepoints |01 of which are curved substantially as illustrated. The wheelis rotated by handle |08, see Fig. 8, carried on shaft |09 extendingthrough the housing wall. The cams |06 are engageable, upon rotation ofthe wheel in either direction, with projection I0 on arm pivoted to thehousing wall at ||2. Pivoted at I3 to the outer end of the arm is thenlm perforation engaging claw ||4 which bears against coil spring ||5supported by the projection 90. Thus as the arm carried projection ||0is engaged by the successive cams |06, the claw ||4 is givencorresponding successive downward nlm advancing movements, after each ofwhich the claw and arm assembly are returned by spring ||5 to thepositions illustrated.

During operation of the nlm movement, the nlm is continuously movedthrough its loop formation across the path of light being projected fromthe lamp through the aperture plate and projection lens. Simultaneouslythe nlm is taken from and rewound on the convolute loop, all in a mannersuch that the nlm is given smoothly moving and regularized intermittentadvancements, continuously so long as the device may be operated.

l claim:

l. A device oi the character described cornprising a housing' containinga light passing opening and having body and. cover sections, an endlessnlm wound in a convolute roll within the housing, a lamp positioned inthe housing in laterally onset relation to said roll, an aperture plateand stationary guide members carried by the body section and confining aportion of the nlm for movement from the inside of said roll across thelight path between said lamp and opening, a rotatable handle at theoutside of said body section, a rotatable cam connected to said handle,a reciprocally swinging arm pivotable about a nxed axis and actuated bysaid cam, a pawl carried by the arm and engageable within prising ahousing contaiinng a light passing openingand having body and coversections, an `endless nlm Wound in a convolute roll within thehousing,`means carried by said body section for supporting the nlm roll,a lamp positioned `in the housing in laterally onset relation to saidroll, an aperture plate and stationary guide members carried by the bodysection and connning a portion of the nlm for movement from the insideof said roll across the light path between said lamp and opening, arotatable handle at the outside of said body section, a wheel connectedto said handle and having spaced peripheral cams, a reciprocallyswinging arm carrying a cam projection engageable by the successivewheel cams, a pawl pivotally carried by said arm, said pawl beingengageable within the nlm periorations to intermittently advance the nlmfrom said roll across said light path and to cause the nlm to rewind onthe roll, and a single yielding element operating both to resist cammeddisplacement of said pawl and arm to urge said pawl against said nlm.

3. A device of the character described comprising a housing containing alight passing opening, an endless nlm wound in a convolute roll withinthe housing, a lamp within the housing, means connning a portion of thenlm for movement across the light path between said lamp and opening, arotatable nlm operating handle, a rotatable cam connected to saidhandle, a reciprocally swinging arm actuated by said cam, a pawl carriedby and movable relative to the arm and engageable within the nlmperforations to intermittently advance the nlm from said roll acrosssaid light path and to cause the nlm to rewind on the roll, and a singleyielding element operating both to resist cammed displacement of saidpawl and arm and to urge said pawl against said nlm.

4. A device of the character described comprising a housing containing alight passing opening and having body and cover sections, an endless nlmwound in a convolute roll within the housing, a lamp positioned in thehousing in laterally offset relation to said roll, an aperture plate andstationary guide members carried by the body section and connning aportion of the nlm for movement from the inside of said roll across thelight path between said lamp and opening, a rotatable handle at theoutside of said body section, a rotatable wheel connected to said handleand having spaced peripheral cams, a reciprocally swinging armengageable by the successive wheel cams as each cam reaches apredetermined loeation upon rotation of said wheel, e. pawl pivotallycarried by said arm and engageable within the nlm perforations` tointermittently advance the nlm from said roll across said light path andto cause the nlm to rewind on the roll, and a shutter element having aportion adjacent said arm adapted to be engaged by each cam immediatelyprior to and during engagement of said arm by the same cam and operableupon such engagement to intermittently traverse said light path.

WIKKE BOUMA.

(References on following page) 7 REFERENCES CITED The followingreferences are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,295,653 Wells Feb. 25, 19191,624,103 Knopp Apr. 12, 1927 1,876,845 Bowen Sept. 13, 1932 2,100,008Stephens Nov. 23, 1937 2,122,804 Tchenor Juy 5, 1938 2,152,624 CazesApr. 4, 1939 2,168,043 OGrady Aug. 1, 1939 Number Number Name DateSachtleben Oct. 31, 1939 Falkenhagen Dec. 3, 1940 Bouma Feb. 16, 1943FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain of 1907 Austria Mar. 10, 1925Germany Apr. 24. 1926 Great Britain June 24, 1926 Great Britain Jan. 15,1935

